'Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro' spinoff planned for ABC and Hulu

'Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro' set for summer launch on ABC and Hulu

A new spinoff of Dancing with the Stars is in development, with Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro expected to air this summer on ABC and Hulu.

According to reports, the series will feature professional dancers competing for a chance to join the main show as its next pro dancer. Contestants will also live together during the competition, adding a reality element to the ballroom format.

Robert Irwin, winner of Season 34 and a wildlife advocate, is reportedly in talks to host the programme. The winner of The Next Pro is set to secure a role as a professional dancer on Season 35 of the flagship series.

The judging panel is expected to include long-time pro dancer Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas. Shirley Ballas, known as “The Queen Of Latin”, has served as a judge on the British series Strictly Come Dancing since 2017. A rotating judge or mentor is also planned, although no additional names have been confirmed.

The original Dancing with the Stars remains a staple of the autumn television schedule on ABC. The proposed spinoff shifts the focus from celebrity contestants learning ballroom techniques to trained dancers competing at a professional level.

Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is expected to premiere in the summer, with the main series returning to ABC in the autumn. Further details, including a confirmed host and premiere date, are anticipated in the coming months.